Karra Bikson

Associate Teaching Professor

Medical social worker with research focus on organizational change and diffusion of innovation.

Karra Bikson

Associate Teaching Professor

Medical social worker with research focus on organizational change and diffusion of innovation.

Biography

Karra Bikson integrates education, research and practice from a social justice lens. She teaches courses in the areas of diversity and social justice practice, community organizing and policy advocacy, research and program evaluation, theories of human behavior in the social environment, gerontology and grief and bereavement.
Professor Bikson’s clinical practice has been primarily in medical social work (hospice, hospital, palliative care and emergency department). Her research foci include a diffusion of innovation, implementation science and organizational change, using qualitative, mixed-method survey and case study methodologies. Her current project centers on innovation in teaching social justice practice in the MSW classroom.

Education

University of California

PhD 2007

University of California

MSW 2000

San Francisco State University

MA 1997

University of California

BA 1986

Area of Expertise

Advocacy

Aging
Communities & Organizations
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Health
Social Justice Practice

Industry Experience

Research
Education/Learning

Research Interest

Diversity/Cross Cultural

Affiliations

American Society on Aging (ASA)
Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI)
Society for Social Work & Research (SSWR)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Accomplishments

Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Academic Contributions to the LGBTQ Community

USC Rainbow Alliance Caucus, 2012 and 2013

Young Investigators Award

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 2010

Paper Award

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), 2010

Scholarship Award

College of Palliative Care, AAHPM Annual Assembly, 2007

Articles & Publications

PUBLICATIONS

Bikson, K. (2019). Social Aspects of Palliative Care. In Altilio, T., Leimena, M. L. & Sumser, B. (Eds.) Palliative Social Work: A Practical Guide for Primary Health Social Work. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Bikson, K., McGuire, J., Blue-Howells, J., & Seldin-Sommer, L. (2009). Psychosocial problems in primary care: Patient and provider perceptions. Social Work in Health Care, 48, 8:736-749.

McGuire, J., Bikson, K., & Blue-Howells, J. (2005). How many social workers are needed in primary care? A patient-based needs assessment example. Health & Social Work, 30, 4:305-313.

Torres-Gil, F. & Bikson, K. (2002). The emerging nexus of aging and diversity: Implications for public policy and entitlement reform. Elder’s Advisor: The Journal of Elder Law and Post-Retirement Planning, 4, 1:1-10.

Bikson, K., & Bikson, T.K. (2001). The impact of internet use over time on older adults: A field experiment, in Charness, N., Park, D. C. & Sabel, B. (Eds.) Communication, Technology and Aging, New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Torres-Gil, F., & Bikson, K. (2001). Multiculturalism, Social Policy, and the New Aging. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 36, 3-4:13-32.

PRESENTATIONS

Aranda, M.P., Jiménez McSweyn, S., Smith-Maddox, R. & Bikson, K. (2022, November). Redesigning a Diversity and Social Justice Course in a School of Social Work. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Singh, M. I., Bikson, K., Smith-Maddox, R. & Parker-Dominguez, T. (2018, January). Teaching Diversity and Social Justice: Strategies for the Virtual MSW Classroom to Improve Educational Outcomes. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR).

Bikson, K., Singh, M. I., Smith-Maddox, R., Parker-Dominguez, T. & Boafo, J. (2017, October). Teaching Equity and Social Justice: Strategies for the Virtual MSW Classroom. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Singh, M. I., Bikson K., & Smith-Maddox, R. (2017, June). Positionality and Practice: The Role of Social Identity and Life Experiences. National Association of Social Work Florida State conference (NASW-FL).

Bikson, K., Parker Dominguez, T., Singh, M. & Smith-Maddox, R. (2016, November). Strategies for teaching diversity: Opportunities and challenges in the virtual MSW classroom. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Bikson, K. (2015, July). Organizational challenges to implementing hospital-based palliative care. 20th Annual UCLA Research Conference on Aging.

Bikson, K. (2010, March). Organizational challenges to implementing hospital-based palliative care. Paper presented at American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s Annual Assembly (AAHPM).